Development and validation of the Czech version of the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory (ACSI-28) for soccer referees

Objective: This paper aims to create the Czech version of the questionnaire with the target population of soccer referees, and formulate recommendations for the future development of the tool both in original and adapted versions.

Methods: The questionnaire was distributed to 199 referees from the target population, predominantly males (94.5%) of performance levels ranging from regional to international. The process of translation and back-translation was carried out. The reliability, validity, and factor structure of the Czech version of this inventory was analysed and compared with the original and Spanish versions.

Results: The factor structure of the Czech version of ACSI-28 was assessed satisfactory (comparative fit index = .85, Tucker-Lewis index =.87, root mean square error of approximation = .052, standardized root mean square residual = .072). The reliability in the form of internal consistency was confirmed in most of the subscales (varying from .78 to .62). The subscale Coachability showed higher internal consistency (.65) when one question was not included. The subscale of Confidence and Achievement Motivation showed low internal consistency (.55). The subscale Freedom from Worry should not be included in the overall Coping Resources scale. After excluding the Freedom from Worry subscale, the tool displays good reliability (.87).

Conclusions: The Czech version of ACSI-28 for soccer referees includes 27 items. With the consideration of its limits, the Czech version of ACSI-28 can be used in practice as a screening method for soccer referees.